By Jasper Lapienski

As the last of 25 participants in the first Freedom & Struggle Song Swap arrived on Saturday, February 23, 2019, Charlie King -- 2018 PMN Artist-in-Residence and host of this month's swap -- asked us to move our chairs back to accommodate everyone.

The new, monthly song swap in Greenfield is co-sponsored by Dance Spree, a community group that I lead which hosts weekly freestyle boogies as well as workshops and other community events, such as a debate of candidates for statewide offices who belong to parties that are are excluded from the two party duopoly.  The song Swap has two main objectives: to bring home the singing of freedom songs, and to bring singers and dancers into contact with one another, encouraging crossover between the groups.

The evening included a whole lot of Pete Seeger songs, and thanks to a loan of songbooks from Peter Blood & Annie Patterson, everyone was able to sing along. Attendees included Ben Grosscup, PMN executive director; Storm, Steering Committee member; and Rob Peck, MC of the 2018 summer concert.

To be held on the 4th Saturday of every month, the song swap takes place at The Episcopal Church of St James & Andrew in downtown Greenfield, leading up to and into that night's freestyle dance. We hope you'll join us for both the singing and the dancing, month after month!

For more info on the song swap go to www.peoplesmusic.org/events - more on the dance go to www.dancespree.org

Upcoming swaps: March 23 with Michael Nix; April 27 with Ben Grosscup; May 25 - still seeking facilitator.

Check out the workshop program for the 2019 PMN Winter Gathering in NYC on January 26 and 27! Workshop presenters and facilitators are putting on a program that represents PMN's diversity and that engages participants in the transformative power of music! 

Read two ways!

1.Workshop Grid  (1 Page)

2.Workshop Descriptions  (9 pages)

WRITTEN BY PAT LAMANNA

On Sunday, October 21, 2018 the Hudson Valley Contingent of PMN held a fundraiser at the iconic music venue, The Towne Crier, in Beacon, N.Y. We were fortunate to get Hudson Valley Sally (Laurie Siegel, David Tarlo, John Fisher and Terry Cotillon); Dilson Hernandez, who will appear in the Friday concert at the PMN Winter Concert on January 25, 2019 in New York City; and Joshua Garcia. I was the opening act. Everyone put on a great performance. The show concluded with the performers singing “If I Had a Hammer” along with the audience.

About two dozen people showed up for all or part of the show. They were an enthusiastic, listening crowd and they enjoyed all the performers. Most had not heard of PMN, so it also raised their awareness. A couple expressed interest in the Winter Gathering, so we may see them again! Phil Ciganer, the proprietor of the Towne Crier, was impressed by the talent. He asked me for contact info for Joshua and Dilson.

The event raised $269!  Putting this concert together was enjoyable and rewarding all around. I recommend that others do it, to raise money for, and awareness of, PMN, and to have a great time!

Workshop Proggram (New!)

Read the program in two ways:
    Workshop Grid (1 Page)
    Full Descriptions ( Pages)

PMN hosts a song swap on the 3rd Sunday of each month at Iconica Social Club, located in the parking lot behind Haymarket Cafe in downtown Northampton, MA. Contact Jasper Lapienski via e-mail or phone (413) 658-7011 if you have questions or are interested in attending. All are welcome!

Each month's event is hosted by a PMN member or affiliated musician, with an accompanying theme (e.g., immigration, war & peace, etc.) There is no cover charge, although participants are encouraged to purchase homemade juices and pastries from Iconica. The format is an informal sharing and will develop to match the interests of those who participate. All music genres and spoken word are welcome.

The workshop list for the 2018 PMN Winter Gathering in Boston (Jan 26-28, 2018) is posted! We have 28 engaging and participatory workshops led by a talented, inspired, and diverse group of workshop leaders. Read about the many workshops that are happening here.

Watch all 12 Performances on youtube!

Last month People's Music Network sponsored the PMN Social Songs Showcase at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, featuring 12 different acts, each performing original and timely songs that speak to issues of class oppression, US military domination, racism, the rights of immigrants and refugees, the distortions of political thought today, and hope for a better world.

Singout! Article "Busy Times for People’s Music Network"

Ron Olesko (host of "Traditions" on WFDU) was one of the judges. He wrote an article for Singout! that describes this particular showcase, the strengths of the songs, and the thinking of the panel of judges, which also included Jane Fallon (Award winning songwriter & author) and Ron Cooke (host of "Music They Don't Want You to Hear" on KTAL).
 

The 12 Songs on a Soundcloud Playlist

1. Crys Matthews, "Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers"
2. David Roth, "Home of the Brave"
3. Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, "Get Us Out Of Fear Land"
4. Emma's Revolution , "Still Here"
5. Chris LaVancher, "Nostalgia"
6. Bev Grant, "I Am A Sewing Machine"
7. Mark Kilianski, "The Blue Sky Ain't No Friend Of Mine"
8. Eleanor Kleiner, "Fat Cat"
9. Dave Richardson, "We Got A Boat"
10. Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, "Mother of Exiles"
11. Mike Glick, "We Shall Be Free"
12. Judy Kass, "Look at us Marching Now"

People's Music Network would like to give a huge thank you to JB Nuttle from World One Video for providing videography services for this showcase! Thanks also to the judges, and to the 45 NERFA attendees who made song submissions for this showcase!

Congratulations Charlie! 

Charlie King, founding PMN member and Artist in Residence at the upcoming PMN Winter Gathering in Boston is the winner of the Phil Ochs Award for 2017.  The criteria includes:

• accomplished songwriter & compelling performer
  
• grounded in the folk tradition (Woody, Pete, Ronnie, Leadbelly, Buffy, Phil et al)
  
• advances the spirit of Phil's music and activism
  
• demonstrates a commitment to social justice and community engagement
  

(Update 11/25/17: Complete and up-to-date details available at Winter Gathering Overview.)

People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle invites you to be part of our 2018 PMN Winter Gathering at two venues (in Cambridge & Brookline, MA) from January 26-28, 2018.

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE ANNOUNCED!

Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt will be PMN Artists-in-Residence for the 2017 PMN Winter Gathering! Charlie is a musical storyteller and political satirist, hailed by Pete Seeger as “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.” He is recipient of the 2017 Phil Ochs Award. Rick is is an Obie-award-winning playwright, performer, composer, and songwriter/accordionist for the Prince Myshkins, a political cabaret folk duo.

FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT -- Cambridge, MA

The PMN Friday Night Concert takes place at the First Parish in Cambridge, starting at 7:30pm on January 26, 2018, which will feature PMN Artists in Residence, Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt. Other confirmed performers (so far) include Reggie Gibson, Sol Y Canto, and Windborne Singers. Concert goers are invited to come early to rehearse for a huge PMN Pick-up chorus! Details to be released soon!

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY GATHERING - Brookline, MA

On Saturday and Sunday (January 27 & 28, 2018) at the Pierce School in Brookline, we’ll have participatory workshops and songswaps; mentoring sessions; and a Saturday night “Round Robin” – all highlighting the role of music in progressive social change. The Youth Creative Convergence will take place parallel to the adult workshops. Expect opportunities to share music, sing together, build networks, and to join efforts to bring music for progressive social change into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.

CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS – DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2017

Do you want to lead a workshop session as part of this exciting and inspirational weekend? Workshops at PMN are led by gathering participants. We invite you to get involved in shaping the weekend by putting forth your ideas. Propose a workshop or workshop topic you want to see included in the Gathering. Ben Grosscup (ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org) is organizing the adult workshop program. Learn how to submit a workshop proposal.

YOUTH CREATIVE CONVERGENCE

The Youth Creative Convergence (YCC) is back at PMN for the second year in a row! The program will include childcare and activities for ages 3-12, plus a series of workshops specifically designed to inspire and equip teens in a variety of creative endeavors (roughly ages 13-17). We're excited to engage kids and youth with elements of people’s history, interactive projects, creative challenges, games, and collaborations with elders. Jayme Winnell (PurpleJayme@gmail.com) is organizing the YCC. Learn more or offer a workshop.

MEALS and ACCOMMODATIONS

We will serve Friday Dinner at the Church. We'll serve all five meals from Saturday Breakfast to Sunday Lunch in the school cafeteria. We will arrange sleeping accommodations for out-of-town guests at the homes of local volunteer hosts. Count on a welcoming community-oriented feel to the whole weekend! Boston area residents can host an out of town PMN participant, by filling out this form online.

REGISTRATION

Online registration will be announced soon. Financial assistance is available and must be arranged in advance. Our need-based payment scale seeks the broadest participation possible while keeping PMN financially solvent. All 6 meals are included when you register. Day rates are also available.

Tickets for the Friday concert are included for free with the Winter Gathering registration, or you will also be able to purchase concert tickets separately.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH & PEOPLE OF COLOR

PMN’s Matt Jones Scholarship Fund fosters a multi-racial and inter-generational artistic and political community by providing registration and partial travel stipends to young people (25 years or younger) and people of color wishing to attend a PMN gathering. Scholarship applicants may request up to $50 in travel stipends to reimburse for the cost of travel. Find information on how to apply.

Facebook: Consider sharing the Gathering Event on Facebook, and invite your friends!

SAVE THE DATE! PMN SUMMER GATHERING, June 1-3, 2018 (Tolland, MA)

Our 42nd annual PMN Summer Gathering will take place in 2018 at Camp Kinderland in Tolland, MA for the second year in a row. Save the date and stay tuned for more info. Videos from the 2017 Summer Gathering are now available on the PMN Youtube Page.

Yours in song,

Ben Grosscup

People's Music Network, Executive Director

Click here for Original story.

ASCAP singer-songwriter Bev Grant was named the recipient of this year’s ASCAP Foundation Jay Gorney Award for her song “We Were There.”

Bev is a labor and social activist, feminist, and the 2017 Joe Hill Award winner from the Labor Heritage Foundation for her contribution as a cultural worker, an honor shared with former recipients Pete Seeger, Hazel Dickens and many others.

Bev grew up singing and playing with her two older sisters in Portland, OR. After moving to New York City in the early ‘60s, she formed her band The Human Condition, who recorded their first album “Working People Gonna Rise,” with Paredon Records, now distributed by Smithsonian/Folkways. Her song “Inez” is included in the Smithsonian/Folkways “Best of Broadside” collection.

Bev’s song, “We Were There” will soon have a global presence when it is presented at the United Trade Union Confederation 3rd Womens Conference in October in Costa Rica

Bev founded and directs the Brooklyn Women’s Chorus, who celebrated their 20th anniversary in March 2017.

The ASCAP Foundation Jay Gorney Award was established by Jay’s late wife, Sondra, and his son, Dr. Roderic Gorney. In the spirit of Jay’s song, “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” which he wrote with lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, this award is presented for an original song based on its message of social conscience/social significance as well as overall craft, artistry and compositional elements.